China's commerce ministry slams U.S. 'trade initiative' talks with island of Taiwan

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) strongly criticized the United States for engaging in so-called "trade initiative" talks with Taiwan, asserting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and the one-China principle is the prerequisite for China's Taiwan region to participate in external economic cooperation.

China strongly opposes official interaction of any form between China's Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic relations with China. That includes negotiating or signing any agreement that implies sovereignty and has an official nature, a spokesperson for MOFCOM said in a statement.

The U.S. needs to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués with concrete actions, and earnestly deliver on its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" and prudently handle its economic and trade relations with Taiwan, the spokesperson said.

The U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced on Thursday (U.S. time) that the U.S. and China's Taiwan region had concluded negotiations on a so-called "21st Century Trade Initiative."

Later on Friday, China's Foreign Ministry slammed the U.S. move, stating that it gravely violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and contravenes the U.S.' own commitment of maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan. China deplores and strongly opposes this move.

During a press conference, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, called on the U.S. to stop sending any wrong messages to separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" in the name of economy and trade.